Communication Specialist

Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and one year of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Assisting the Center Director with outreach materials and projects

- Collecting and creating content related to the invasive and native plants found in Florida’s natural areas

- Collaborating with the Center’s faculty, staff, and students on research related projects

- Attending conferences to promote the Center’s communication resources

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

Multimedia Production and Content Management: Responsible for the design and production of outreach materials. This includes website management, graphic design, videography, podcast production, and acting as liaison with print houses and the UF-IFAS Communications overseeing the final printing/production of materials. They will conduct the final review and approval before communications are released.

Collaborate with Subject Matter Experts: Work closely with the Center’s Director and faculty to align communication efforts with strategic goals and grant deliverables to ensure a coordinated and collaborative approach to communications. Ensure consistency of messaging and branding across all communication efforts. Oversee part-time communication assistants’ day-to-day duties.

Videography: Leads in producing video content related to the Center’s research, invasive plant impacts, and highlighting plant species found in Florida’s natural areas. This includes maintaining the Center’s YouTube channel. Incumbent utilizes wide latitude of independent judgment regarding need, content, editorial policy, quality standards, peer review and production demands for materials produced and distributed by the Center’s communication materials.

Photography: Photograph invasive and native plant species as well as research efforts at the Center and in the field. This includes editing and maintaining the Center’s photo collection and online database. Selects and edits high-quality photos for use in media. Handle photo and copyright issues and content.

Attend UF/IFAS Communications meetings to ensure the Center’s presence among larger UF/IFAS initiatives, policies, and opportunities. Collaborate, as needed, with UF/IFAS Communications’ creative services teams like graphic design, blogging, social media, web services, and news media relations, to implement communication activities.

Maintain organization of the communication equipment and onsite storage facility.

Travel to conferences, field sites, and workshops to promote the Center’s resources. Driving will be required to field locations to obtain photographs, video, and collect other information.  Other duties as assigned.

$55,000 - $60,000 - Commensurate with experience, skills and education

• Candidates should be able to plan, organize and coordinate work on projects independently and work as part of a team toward organizational objectives
• Candidates should have demonstrated skills in photo, video, graphic design, and/or podcast production. Adobe Suite preferred.
• Candidates should have a willingness to learn new communication skills
• Candidates should have either a background or strong interest in natural resources
• Position requires travel to field locations to obtain photographs, video, and collect other information (e.g., plant samples, local information), often requiring extensive walking in rough terrain or traveling in boats. Position requires ability to work in variable environmental conditions. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and load heavy items for workshops and conferences.
• Internal contacts usually relate to website utilization, informational assistance to faculty and staff, personnel interactions, reports, and general operation of the Center’s Communication Office.
• External contacts include answering and referring questions from resource managers, state agency personnel, county extension agents, researchers, students, and members of the public about aquatic and invasive plants and related issues; handling requests for use of photographs and line drawings copyrighted by the Center. 

Master’s degree in communication, journalism, or plant science. Previous involvement with science communication or natural resource management is preferred, but not necessary. 

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume. 

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.